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Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Review

We may well joke that the sun always shines brighter over Liverpool but it certainly rang true the day I boarded the famous Magical Mystery Tour.

A sunny, April afternoon, the warmest day in the city this year and I am in a great mood for exploring the sights made famous by the one and only fab four! It's two o'clock so I venture down to the Gower Street meeting point to be met by none other than a lone French man fumbling with his map!
Desperately trying to look inconspicuous and none-tourist-like, I stick the shades on and start to flick through my mobile phone for a contact who I pray might be available for a meaningless chat but oh no - French guy, already tapping my shoulder, pondering over my nationality before he strings together the broken English, "Err...magique mystery bus? Leave here? Err...you go with me? Oui?"
I look at him blankly.
"Arrghh!!" - I'm thinking in my head but the sun is shining, I'm having a strong dose of vitamin D so I giggle and produce, "Sure! Yes! Magical Mystery tour? Leaves here - 10 minutes - me too! Woohoo!"

What? What did I just say? That's it now, me and Frenchie - bus buddies - great! So now I find myself making meaningless conversation with the stranger but I'm amazed when he proceeds to tell me that he arrived early this morning from Paris to be dropped immediately at the Albert Dock where he did the Tate Gallery and The Beatles Story Museum and is now about to do the "Magique Mystery Bus" and he has not yet checked into his hotel! Now that is motivation for you!

He could have chatted all day but I am saved by the arrival of the vintage style magical mystery tour bus and Frenchie decides to have a cigarette so I politely excuse myself and board the coach to find a seat by myself to sit back and enjoy the tour! Phew!

Tourists are singing along to the Beatles's sounds on the radio and lingering in the air is an authentic smell that I can only imagine lingered back in the good old days! We are greeted by our jolly Liverpudlian guide and we embark on a journey where we are transported back to the 1940's to discover the birthplaces of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Although the Magical Mystery Tour starts down on the Albert Dock, the journey took us a short drive out to the suburbs of the city to the South Liverpool area which is actually where I live. I was astounded at the number of Beatle's landmarks that are literally on my doorstep, all within walking distance of each other. These include all of the Beatle's childhood homes (Paul McCartney's home being round the corner from my local Tesco!) as well as Penny Lane (apparently the most photographed road sign in the UK), Strawberry Fields and the first ever meeting place of Lennon and McCartney. Our guide was fantastic and continuously fuelled us with historical and personal facts about the boy's chance meetings and their early days before success.

The tour stopped at many of the landmarks and allowed us to disembark for photograph opportunities. Frenchie and his now, new found friends were in their element taking pictures of each other knocking on the front doors of the houses and adopting pop star stances! I amused myself in the background and giggled inside. What struck me was the number of foreigners who delighted in these sights, set amongst the beauty of Woolton and Allerton, surrounded by my local pubs and friend's houses - all of these international treasures within my postal code!

I chose to live in the South Liverpool area as I've always thought how beautiful it is. It has a warm, village feel and yet has everything you need without travelling into the city. However, the Beatles's history that I've now learnt, has added an extra something special to my being here.

The coach dropped us here and we headed down into the basement of the club for a refreshing drink. Having previously visited the Cavern, I escaped before Frenchie collared me with a gin and tonic!

As the sun began to set I strolled along the cities Waterfront back towards the Albert Dock. This gave me the perfect opportunity to fully absorb the stories our guide had shared with us and I felt proud to walk away as a local!

You don't have to be a mad Beatles' fan to appreciate the Magical Mystery Tour. It educated me about an exciting musical era, the beginnings of a truly successful band and a fame that helped put Liverpool on the international platform. It is a perfect way for all visitors to experience the Beatles nostalgia and it's an alternative way to view the beauty of the suburbs.

If you are a local like me, it really is a sentimental tour to open your eyes to the story of four local lads that took on the world. We can't ignore it as we live and breathe it everyday and if Frenchie can complete three tours in a day, we can certainly choose one in a lifetime!

1. Try and sit on the left hand side of the coach (opposite to the driver's side) as certain sights can only be viewed from the coach and most of these sights are viewed better from the left side.

2. Loads of photograph opportunities so don't forget your camera!

3. If you get chance after visiting the Cavern, pop in to the nearby newly opened Hard Days Night Hotel. If you can't afford to stay in one of the individually designed rooms, a cocktail in one of the Beatles themed bars is a must. Original décor and Beatles memorabilia galore makes this a fantastic addition to Liverpool's City Hotels.

4. Please note that the Magical Mystery Tour does not provide you access to the houses. However, please check out my review of Mendips & Forthlin Road - the only tour to take you inside!

Written by Helen Noble (April 08)